Chapter 724: Chapter 725: Endgame

Fan Chengzhuo was overcome with anxiety.

In fact, when he arrived today, he had already considered that his secrets might be exposed. But at the time, his only thought was that even if it meant being ground to dust, he could not stand by and watch something happen to Zheng Baosu.

But now, hearing Emperor Muwu’s words, he was suddenly unsure.

’What... what did he mean?’

"Rest assured. I will not take your life, nor will I take your son’s."

As Emperor Muwu spoke, he turned his head and coughed a few times.

A flicker of hope instantly ignited in Zheng Baosu’s eyes. He even shuffled forward half a step on his knees in his eagerness.

His heart filled with yearning, waiting for Emperor Muwu to utter words of pardon.

Zhao Xuanping simply couldn’t watch any longer. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes and curse under his breath.

"And to think I once considered Fan Chengzhuo a smart man. Now I see he’s foolish beyond belief! What’s the use of a son like that? He’s a walking curse, that one!"

Not long ago, Fan Chengzhuo was the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a man of high station and great authority, feared by all.

How much time had passed since then? And now he had fallen to such a state! freⅇ

The rest of his life, utterly ruined by his so-called "only bloodline"!

Hearing Zhao Xuanping’s complaints, Ye Chutang remained silent for a moment before shaking her head gently.

"You know, while Zheng Baosu has no great ambition, he also lacks the cunning for complex schemes. As for how they ended up here today... it’s hard to say which of them, father or son, is more at fault."

Zhao Xuanping thought about it and felt she had a very good point.

Zheng Baosu was a fool. If it weren’t for Fan Chengzhuo, he probably wouldn’t have been able to do so much, nor commit such great crimes on his own.

"Then his master must be truly formidable!" Zhao Xuanping clicked his tongue. "I wonder what methods they used to command such loyalty from Fan Chengzhuo. Not only did he risk his own life, but he dragged his son down with him!"

Anyone could see that there was someone behind Fan Chengzhuo, and their ambitions were anything but small.

If it were just for wealth and status, there were plenty of other methods they could have used. Why take such a desperate risk?

But...

"Just who would scheme so painstakingly? Could it really be someone from Wazhen—"

Zhao Xuanping couldn’t figure it out; he just couldn’t see the full picture.

Ye Chutang mused for a moment, then said, as if casually, "As they say, no one acts without a motive. Whoever stands to gain the most from this affair would have the strongest one, wouldn’t they?"

"That’s a good point," Zhao Xuanping agreed with a nod, but he was still puzzled. "If that’s the case, doesn’t that mean the person behind him is from Wazhen? After all, they acquired our best military equipment and supplies. Not only can they now understand our capabilities, but they can also enhance their own combat strength and go toe-to-toe with us. But... Wazhen’s internal affairs haven’t been peaceful lately. Who could it be?"

The Fourth Prince, Zhuola, already declared himself Khan in Barna before the year’s end. But how could Ugle possibly let the matter rest?

The two sides were bound to have another confrontation.

At such a critical juncture, how could they have the time for something like this?

Ye Chutang glanced at Fan Chengzhuo.

"Zheng Baosu was recommended for a military position several years ago. That shows someone has been playing this long game for quite some time."

It dawned on Zhao Xuanping, and the implications were so terrifying that a sudden chill shot up his spine.

"This... This—"

Such a deep and patient scheme, so painstakingly plotted... they truly exhausted every means possible!

That kind of forbearance and cunning... how could it not strike fear into one’s heart!?

Apparently, Emperor Muwu was thinking the same thing.

He lifted his chin, his tone level as he spoke.

"Effective immediately, imprison Zheng Baosu and Fan Chengzhuo. Every day, have someone cut a piece of flesh from Zheng Baosu. Considering Fan Chengzhuo’s deep love for his son, he need not watch the cutting. Simply have the flesh cooked into a dish and sent to him for every meal."

The words were few, but they were enough to make one’s blood run cold.

Fan Chengzhuo looked up in disbelief, immense shock and terror seizing his heart. "Your Majesty!?"

Zheng Baosu was completely stunned.

It took him a moment to process the meaning of Emperor Muwu’s words. When he did, a bone-deep chill instantly consumed him.

He immediately began to struggle violently, crying out for help in a hoarse voice.

"Your Majesty! I know I was wrong! Even if you won’t spare me, please just grant me a quick death!"

Having his flesh cut off every day... wasn’t that death by a thousand cuts!?

And from the sound of it, Emperor Muwu had no intention of killing him anytime soon. That meant he would have to endure endless torture!

This was a thousand times more painful than simply killing him!

Everyone fell silent. A strange and unsettling atmosphere filled the hall.

Of course, no one would plead for the father and son, but...

Ye Chutang lowered her gaze, hiding the emotions in her eyes.

Since returning to the capital, she had witnessed Emperor Muwu’s Emperor’s Heart Skill more than once, yet it still shocked her every time.

To sit securely in that wheelchair, one needed an iron fist and a cruel heart.

Fan Chengzhuo was unwilling to expose his master?

Well, Emperor Muwu had his ways.

Even if he couldn’t get the answer he wanted, he would never let Fan Chengzhuo off easy.

No wonder he had insisted on interrogating Zheng Baosu personally despite his illness—he must have planned for this step all along.

The vast hall was filled with nothing but Zheng Baosu’s shrill, desperate pleas.

Fan Chengzhuo knew better than anyone that Emperor Muwu would never change his mind—not unless he was willing to confess more.

’But...’

Fan Chengzhuo’s mind was a battlefield.

On one hand was his only son, to whom he felt he owed everything. On the other hand, was...

Overcome by the agonizing conflict, Fan Chengzhuo suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted once more.

Seeing this, Zhao Xuanping instinctively started forward. "Your Majesty, Mr. Fan..."

"Take him away. Didn’t we already have a prescription written for him? Find someone to brew it and deliver it to him on schedule every day." Emperor Muwu slowly rose to his feet. "I am tired."

This was the signal that things were over.

Zhao Xuanping’s heart skipped a beat, and he knew better than to say anything more.

Eunuch Li hurried forward to support Emperor Muwu.

Emperor Muwu had taken but a single step when he seemed to remember something and glanced back.

"Since he won’t say who his master is, then this poisonous insect can’t be dealt with for now. Forget it. Just leave him alive."

The meaning couldn’t be clearer: as long as he didn’t die, he was to be tortured to the brink of death!

One didn’t need to imagine it to know that Fan Chengzhuo’s coming days would be a fate worse than death.

Eunuch Li asked hesitantly, "Your Majesty, your complexion doesn’t look too good. Should we ask Miss Ye to take another look?"

"There’s no need."

Emperor Muwu glanced at Ye Chutang and shook his head.

"This day has been trying enough for her. Let her go back. The rest of you may disperse as well."

Ye Chutang curtsied. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

She knew very well that she had done what was required of her. The rest was not her concern.

Emperor Muwu nodded in satisfaction, his gaze then sweeping over Zhao Zhe, who was still kneeling on the floor.

A trace of impatience and disgust appeared in his eyes.

"Zhao Zhe. Drag him out and behead him as a public example."

Zhao Zhe, who had been fantasizing about escaping with his life, was suddenly thrown into a panic. But before he could even utter a single word, the Imperial Army soldiers clapped a hand over his mouth and dragged him away.

Soon, everyone had departed from the hall, leaving behind only a thick, suffocating, deathly silence.

Only the crimson bloodstains on the floor and pillars bore witness to what had just transpired.

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